Key: Sri Lankan asylum seekers 'not welcome'

LATEST 6:27PM

John Key states 85 Sri Lankan asylum seekers who have been detained on their way to New Zealand are “not welcome”.

The asylum seekers were detained by Indonesian police and have been anchored in the waters of Tanjung Pinang since Saturday. They are reportedly refusing to abandon ship.

Passengers on board the ship have been photographed holding signs reading “We like to go to New Zealand”, “Our future life is in New Zealand” and “We need New Zealand”.

John Key stated that he was aware of the asylum seekers’ situation, but that New Zealand would not be helping.

“I comprehend that some of those asylum seekers are holding flags or signs that state they might want to come to New Zealand, and our very easy message to them is they are not welcome.

“It confirms what I’ve been saying for some time; it’s only a matter of time before massive vessels, steel hulled vessels capable of navigating their way to New Zealand or Canberra or far away parts of the world, would try and make their way here,” states Mr Key.

The boat’s passengers claim that they are not illegal immigrants but refugees who need New Zealand’s help. They have also requested the assistance of the United Nations.

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Submited at Monday, July 11th, 2011 at 3:00 pm on Uncategorized by chuck
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